Highlands North Homes - Dallas, TX

Custom Homes & Twin Lakes in Far North Dallas

Highlands North is a premier far north Dallas neighborhood of custom-built homes near Coit and Campbell Roads, known for the iconic Twin Lakes with lighted fountains, Richardson ISD schools, and proximity to UTD, Prestonwood, and Canyon Creek.

Highlands North Market Overview

The Highlands North real estate market in Dallas, Dallas County offers attractive opportunities for homebuyers.

  • Median Home Price: $810,000
  • Price Range: $650,000 - $1,050,000
  • Location: Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
  • Character: Premium custom homes, established 1970s community, family-oriented, active HOA
  • Based on Redfin Highlands North sales data (August 2025)

Why Highlands North?

  • Iconic Twin Lakes with lighted fountains on Campbell Road
  • Custom-built homes on quarter-acre lots
  • Richardson ISD schools within Dallas city limits
  • Active HOA with 500+ families
  • Near UTD, Prestonwood, and Canyon Creek
  • Preston Ridge Trail access for biking and walking

Why Highlands North Appeals to Homebuyers

Highlands North is one of far north Dallas's most distinctive communities, instantly recognizable by the Twin Lakes with lighted fountains along Campbell Road. Established in 1976 on former farmland, the neighborhood has matured into a premium address with over 500 families enjoying custom-built homes on spacious quarter-acre lots beneath a canopy of mature trees.

The neighborhood offers the coveted combination of Richardson ISD schools within Dallas city limits. Families benefit from top-rated Richardson ISD education while maintaining Dallas residency. The proximity to UTD creates a vibrant academic corridor, and nearby Canyon Creek and Prestonwood provide additional shopping, dining, and recreational amenities.

An active HOA maintains the Twin Lakes fountains, landscaped entryway islands, and common areas, giving Highlands North a well-cared-for appearance that supports property values. The Preston Ridge Trail connects residents to the broader Dallas trail system, and Salado Park provides a neighborhood green space with seasonal wildflowers and walking paths.

Lifestyle

  • Twin Lakes fountains and scenic Campbell Road frontage
  • Richardson ISD academic excellence
  • Custom homes with room for growing families
  • Preston Ridge Trail for biking and walking
  • Near UTD campus and research corridor

Highlands North Home Features

  • Custom 1970s-era construction with generous floor plans
  • Quarter-acre lots with mature landscaping
  • Many homes extensively remodeled with modern finishes
  • 4-bedroom/3-4 bathroom layouts typical
  • 2,000-4,000+ square foot homes
  • Salado Park and community green spaces

Highlands North Demographics

Population: 2,500
Median Age: 45
Median Household Income: $145,000
Owner-Occupied: 85%

Schools Serving Highlands North

Highlands North is served by Richardson ISD, rated A.

  • Richardson ISD - top-rated district in DFW
  • J.J. Pearce High School - highly regarded campus
  • Strong gifted and talented programs
  • Proximity to UTD academic resources

Elementary Schools

  • Bowie Elementary

Middle Schools

  • Parkhill Junior High

High Schools

  • J.J. Pearce High School

Commute & Transportation from Highlands North

Downtown Dallas: 25-30 minutes

Major Employment Centers

  • UT Dallas and research corridor
  • Richardson Telecom Corridor
  • Plano Legacy West
  • Downtown Dallas
  • Addison employment center

Key Transit Routes

  • George Bush Turnpike
  • US-75 Central Expressway (nearby)
  • Coit Road corridor
  • Campbell Road
  • DART bus routes

Dining Near Highlands North

  • Prestonwood area restaurants
  • Campbell Road dining corridor
  • Nearby Richardson restaurant scene
  • Addison restaurant row (10 minutes)

Recreation & Parks Near Highlands North

  • Twin Lakes with lighted fountains
  • Salado Park (4.2 acres, trails, wildflowers)
  • Preston Ridge Trail
  • Prairie Creek Park nearby
  • UTD campus recreation facilities

Shopping Near Highlands North

  • Prestonwood Place
  • Target and retail on Campbell Road
  • Galleria Dallas (10 minutes)
  • NorthPark Center (15 minutes)

Mortgage Options for Highlands North Homebuyers

Find the right financing for your Highlands North home purchase in Dallas, Dallas County:

  • Conventional financing well-suited for this price range
  • Jumbo loan options for upper-tier properties
  • Renovation loans for updating custom homes
  • Strong appraisal support from consistent demand
  • Competitive rates for Dallas County properties

Loan Programs Available in Highlands North

  • Conventional Loans: Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages with as little as 3% down. Highlands North homes up to $832,750 qualify for conforming loan rates.
  • VA Loans: Zero down payment for eligible veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses. No PMI and competitive rates — no loan limit with full entitlement.
  • Jumbo Loans: Financing for properties exceeding the $832,750 conforming limit. Competitive rates for qualified borrowers with 700+ credit scores and 10-20% down.
  • FHA Loans: Government-backed loans with 3.5% down and flexible credit requirements starting at 550 FICO. The DFW FHA loan limit is $563,500 for single-family homes.
  • DSCR Loans: Investment property financing qualifying on rental income, not personal income. 20-25% down payment.
  • Construction Loans: Interim construction financing for custom home builds with two-time close and construction-to-permanent takeout options.
  • Non-QM Loans: Bank statement, asset-based, and alternative income documentation for self-employed borrowers.
  • Texas VLB Loans: Texas Veterans Land Board home loans for veterans and active-duty military with below-market rates.
  • Home Refinancing: Rate-and-term, cash-out, and streamline refinance options for current Highlands North homeowners.

Down Payment Assistance & First-Time Buyer Programs

Highlands North buyers may qualify for TSAHC (Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation) down payment assistance: a grant of 2-5% of the loan amount forgiven after 6 months, or a 3-year deferred forgivable second lien at 0% interest. The Dallas County income limit is $146,625. First-time homebuyer status is NOT required for the standard Non-Bond DPA program. FHA loans start at 3.5% down, VA loans offer zero down, and temporary rate buydowns (2-1, 3-2-1) can lower your initial monthly payments.

2026 DFW Loan Limits

  • Conforming Loan Limit: $832,750 (single-family)
  • FHA Loan Limit: $563,500 (DFW MSA single-family)
  • VA Loans: No loan limit for eligible veterans with full entitlement

Get pre-approved today to start your Highlands North home search with confidence.

Interactive Mortgage Tools for Highlands North Homebuyers

Our Dallas city page includes three interactive calculators pre-configured with hyperlocal data for Highlands North:

Payment Calculator

Calculate your exact monthly mortgage payment for a Highlands North home. Pre-filled with the $810,000 median price, Dallas County property tax rates for Richardson ISD, live Freddie Mac PMMS interest rates, PMI, FHA MIP, VA Funding Fee, insurance, and HOA.

Affordability Calculator

See how much home you can afford in Highlands North based on your income, debts, and savings. Uses real DTI limits: Conventional up to 50%, FHA 46.99/57.49%, VA (no hard DTI cap), Jumbo 43%, Non-QM up to 50%. Includes Dallas County taxes automatically.

Temporary Buydown Calculator

Compare 2-1, 3-2-1, and 1-0 seller-paid buydown options for your Highlands North purchase. See monthly savings by year, seller concession cost, and breakeven analysis with live rates and Dallas County property taxes.

Affordability Guidelines for Highlands North Homebuyers

Understanding how lenders evaluate your ability to afford a home in Highlands North, Dallas County:

Debt-to-Income (DTI) Limits by Loan Type

Loan Type Front-End DTI Back-End DTI Notes
ConventionalN/A (no cap)Up to 50%AUS-driven; strong compensating factors above 45%
FHA46.99%57.49%With compensating factors; standard is 31/43
VAN/ANo hard capNo hard DTI cap — residual income is the primary qualification method
JumboVaries43%Stricter reserves and credit requirements
Non-QMVariesUp to 50%Bank statement, asset-based, or DSCR qualification
DSCRN/AN/AQualifies on rental income, not personal DTI

Credit Score Requirements

Loan Type Minimum Score Down Payment Best Rates
Conventional600 (AUS) / 620 (manual)3% (first-time) / 5%740+
FHA55010% (550-579) / 3.5% (580+)680+
VA5500%700+
Jumbo70010-20%740+
Non-QMVaries (often 620+)10-20%700+
DSCR66020-25%720+

What You Need to Afford a Highlands North Home

Based on Highlands North's median home price of $810,000:

  • 3% down (Conventional first-time): $24,300 down payment
  • 3.5% down (FHA): $28,350 down payment
  • 5% down (Conventional): $40,500 down payment
  • 10% down: $81,000 down payment
  • 20% down (no PMI): $162,000 down payment
  • VA Loan: $0 down payment for eligible veterans

Ways to Afford More Home in Highlands North

Strategies to increase your buying power in Highlands North, Dallas County:

  1. Improve Your Credit Score: Moving from 620 to 740+ can reduce your rate by 0.5-1.0%, saving hundreds per month on a Highlands North home. Pay down credit cards below 30% utilization.
  2. Reduce Monthly Debts: Paying off a $400/month car payment can increase your buying power by $60,000-$80,000 in Highlands North.
  3. Use a Temporary Buydown: Ask the seller to fund a 2-1 or 3-2-1 buydown to lower payments $400-900/month in the early years.
  4. Apply for Down Payment Assistance: Texas DPA programs and Dallas County assistance can cover 3-5% of the purchase price.
  5. Increase Your Down Payment: A larger down payment reduces your loan amount and can eliminate PMI at 20%, lowering monthly costs.
  6. Consider a Longer Loan Term: A 30-year term has lower monthly payments, increasing what you can qualify for.
  7. Add a Co-Borrower: Adding a spouse or co-borrower's income can substantially increase your maximum purchase price.

Dallas County Property Tax Data for Highlands North

Our calculators use verified property tax rates from the Dallas County Appraisal District for Highlands North — not generic estimates.

  • School District: Richardson ISD
  • Data Source: Dallas County Appraisal District official rates
  • Coverage: City, county, school district, and special district (MUD/PID) rates
  • Homestead Exemption: $100,000 school district exemption, plus over-65, disability, and veteran exemptions
  • Updates: Rates verified and updated annually

Texas has no state income tax, making property tax accuracy critical for mortgage payment budgeting in Highlands North.

Frequently Asked Questions About Highlands North

What is the median home price in Highlands North?

The median home price in Highlands North is approximately $810,000, with homes typically ranging from $650,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on size, updates, and lot position.

Why should I buy a home in Highlands North?

Highlands North offers custom-built homes on quarter-acre lots, the iconic Twin Lakes community amenity, Richardson ISD schools within Dallas city limits, and a well-maintained neighborhood with an active HOA and 500+ families.

What schools serve Highlands North?

Highlands North is served by Richardson ISD, one of the highest-rated school districts in the DFW metroplex. Students attend Bowie Elementary, Parkhill Junior High, and J.J. Pearce High School.

What are the Twin Lakes in Highlands North?

The Twin Lakes are iconic lighted fountain ponds along Campbell Road at the entrance to Highlands North. Originally farm ponds, they are now city-maintained storm water features and a recognized far north Dallas landmark.

What are the best features of living in Highlands North?

Highlights include the Twin Lakes with lighted fountains, custom homes on spacious lots, Richardson ISD schools, Preston Ridge Trail access, proximity to UTD and Prestonwood shopping, and an active community with over 500 families.

Contact Your Highlands North Mortgage Expert

Ready to buy a home in Highlands North? Contact Patrick Glaros for a free mortgage pre-approval.

Patrick Glaros

Producing Branch Manager

Directions Home Loan

NMLS #308804

Phone: (469) 399-2411

Email: pglaros@directionshomeloan.com

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Conventional loans from 3% down for Highlands North homes — plus jumbo options for higher-end properties. Get pre-approved in 15 minutes.

Ready to buy in Highlands North, Dallas? Contact Patrick Glaros for personalized mortgage guidance and competitive rates.

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